Viriditas

 “Until at last the Spirit is poured out on us from heaven. Then the wilderness will become a fertile field, and the fertile field will yield bountiful crops.” (Isaiah 32:15 NLT)

Hildegard von Bingen was a Benedictine nun who lived in the Rhine Valley of Germany in the 12th century. She was a writer, musician, mystic, visionary, herbalist, and polymath. She is considered to be the founder of scientific natural history in Germany. Hildegard wrote extensively about viriditas--Latin for ‘green truth’ or the ‘greening power of the Divine.’ 

“She saw that there was a readiness in plants to receive the sun and to transform its light and warmth into energy and life. She recognized that there is an inherent connection between the Divine Presence and the physical world. This Creator-to-created connection translates into inner energy that is the soul and seed of every thing, an inner voice calling us to ‘become who you are; become all that you are.’ This is our life wish or ‘whole-making instinct.’” (Richard Rohr)

Viriditas is the inherent, creative force within all living things which calls forth growth. In plants, green is the color of life. Plants absorb light, water, and minerals from the soil and convert their potential energy into food to sustain all other life forms. Plants rarely move on their own volition; animals do. Rivers flow and oceans have currents, but they are not considered to possess life. Every animate being that has potential for growth is considered a living thing; thus, growth--not activity, defines life. 

Unlike in plants, growth is not colorful. Our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual transformations can be gradual and indiscernible. Yet, we too have the potential to absorb Divine power and be fruitful. We sense that we are enfolded in mysteries beyond our comprehension.  The creative force that lies dormant within us is awakened by the Light of God. The Spirit animates every cell, energizing us to follow the inherent desire to heal and be whole, to become all that we are called to be.